The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-07-29

shots followed by volley all along the
enemy's lines. A few minutes later our
sp- emerged from the darkness covered
with mud and the blood streaming from
hulf-a-d0zen wounds.
He had succeeded in penetrating
their lines, and had obtained q correct
knowledge of their plans. In attempt
ing to return he was discovered, fred
upon, and wounded in several places,
hut not seriously. The darkness favor
Ell him and he escaped.
His information was so important
that the commanding officer withdrew
his troops under cover of the darkness
and established another line which COM
pletely destroyed the plans of the enc
my, thereby saving the Union army
from great peril, if not from dtstru,-
ton.
D. was complimented in gen raj
orders for his services, aud every one
expected that he would receive a COM
mission But it got whispered abroad
that he had been convict, which not
only prevented promotion, but had
tendency to ALLEVIATE from him many of
his old associates, who from that time
avoided HIM. Notwithstanding this
unjust treatment, he continued to dis
charge his duties in faithful manner.
Some moths later he was made
a prisoner and taken to Richmond.
His skill as q workman became
known, and every inducement was
held out to him by the Confederates
to induce him to enter their workshops,
but in vain; he remained true to his oath
- a soldier.
After many weary months, sick and
emaciated, he was exchanged. His con-
stitution was so shattered by the har
ships he had gone through, that he a.
ed for, and obtained, furlough to come
North. In this he had double purpose
to recruit his health, and to obtain if pos
sible, some information in regard to a
sister who, on the death of his mother,
was taken in charge by some kind peo-
pie, and whom he had not seen for
twenty five years.
His search for her wGs unsuccessful
Discouraged and almost pNnniless, he
unfortunately met one of his old COM
panions, who induced him to violate his
good resolutions. and engage with
and was aboUS to carry into execution.
The result was they were arrested
in the act, and before his furlough
had expired he was in the State Pris-
on again, sentenced for twenty-three
years.
With the same calm, quiet manner
he went back to his old bench to work,
and resumed his former ways.
Two years later, on a Sunday even
ing, on my return from meeting I had
attended, I was informed that two
convicts had escaped from the prison.
This man was one of them. 1t is un-
necessary to enter into details, but it
was an exploit for ingenuity and shrewd-
ness worthy of better cause.
His absence was brief; in less than
two months he was arrested, and back
again in his old quarters, where left
him when I retired from Office in
1871.
Seven yea: ago lady called at my
house to see me. She introduced her.
self by saying that she was the sister
| of D. She was a fne-looking
woman, elegantly dressed and appar-
antly well educated. She resided In !,
neighboring State, and had come to
Boston to see if anything could be done
for her brother. I did not hesitate to
tell her that ] had great doubts of her
success, reminding her of the fact that he
| had been pardoned twice a third time
would be unprecedented in the history
of the prison. / introduced her, how
ever, to the Governor, to whom she APP
pealed in such language as only sister
can utter when pleading for brother.
The matter was referred to the council,
| d hearing was appointed, and several
gentlemen interested in the case appear
ed in his behalf The result was, he
was again pardoned.
On calling to bid me good-by, before
leaving the State, he attempted to thank
me for what he thought / had done for
| him, but broke down. WAFTinging my
hands, the tears streaming down his
cheeks, he said
II have no promises to make, but
may God so deal with me here and
hereafter as prove true in the future.
| Seven years has passed since he enter
ed upon his new life. In q large city
in an adjoining State, engaged in sue
cessful and prosperous business, is oiie
Just past middle life, respected and be-
loved by all who come in contact with
him, noted for his benevolence and
charity one who is never appealed to-
in vain. No one, no, not even the des-
pissed tramp, is ever turned from bis
door with scorn or empty-handed.
GIDEoN HAYNES.